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Pristine Clean

  • Posts: 1149
Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« on: August 26, 2009, 10:41:45 am »
We have been asked to quote for a large building that has several infact many large beams. They are untouched so no sealant has been applied. They are natural oak.

The access to them is high which is not an issue but I just wondered what would be the best method and fastest method of cleaning them. They just have a think layer of dust on them.

I would have suggested just a back vac with a brush attachment.

Do you guys no of a better way or a certain type of machine that would be benificial.


regards


Dave
"You have to except that some days you are the statue and other days you are a pigeon"

stalwart

  • Posts: 344
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2009, 11:03:14 am »
Hi
get them blasted,theres loads of companys out there(google) that do oak beam restoreing,it wont be cheap mind you,but the results are amazing.

BTW,is the building empty?
Been there,seen it,done it,just cant remember when

BDCS

  • Posts: 4777
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2009, 06:21:25 pm »
I'd say if your only looking to remove dust then a vacuum with the brush, blasting is usually only done during the restoration of the building

simoncollins

  • Posts: 86
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2009, 06:31:44 pm »
Definitely go with the back pack vacuum cleaner.

How high is high?
Simon

Pristine Clean

  • Posts: 1149
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2009, 06:55:06 pm »
Hi lads,

OK thanks for the replies. They do not need to be blasted as this was done several years back. All they require is for surface dust to be removed from natural oak (Untouched no varnish/beewax)

The height is about 3 metres possible to second floor height for some of them.

I thought about a back vac and possibly an air blower or an air machine that is used for power tools as that can blast air out.

Dave
"You have to except that some days you are the statue and other days you are a pigeon"

BDCS

  • Posts: 4777
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2009, 07:36:15 pm »
Garden blowers are good but you will move the dust elsewhere

vacman

  • Posts: 396
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2009, 08:34:53 pm »
As above, suck don't blow. And why back-pack vacuums? I'd sooner use my cylinder cleaner with a flexible extention hose.

Pristine Clean

  • Posts: 1149
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2009, 06:42:59 am »
Hi Vac man

Yes I agree tuns would be better but climbing ladders with tubs is not a great idea. So backpac are safer.

Garden blowers, I thought of that as I got up this morning strangley enough. I am considering air compressors

Cheers


Dave
"You have to except that some days you are the statue and other days you are a pigeon"

simoncollins

  • Posts: 86
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2009, 07:35:35 am »
Well if you need back pack vac's why not try the Valet Back Pack - see attached.

http://www.truvox.com/Products/Vacuums/Valet_Dry/Valet_Backpack

We sell these for just £159 + VAT.

Let me know if you're interested.

Simon
Industrial Floorcare Machines (UK)
Tel: 01442 823090
Mob: 07852 352783
Simon

vacman

  • Posts: 396
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2009, 10:23:34 am »
Hi Vac man

Yes I agree tuns would be better but climbing ladders with tubs is not a great idea. So backpac are safer.

Garden blowers, I thought of that as I got up this morning strangley enough. I am considering air compressors

Cheers


Dave

No Dave, you don't climb the ladder with the tub cleaner, you leave it on the ground level and take the hose with you. You fit an extension hose to the cleaner to allow for the height.

A lot of commerical vacuum cleaners use a 'thread' system which allows you to thread the fittings of the cleaner onto the hose. Hose can be bought in 15 metre lengths which you then cut to size. I have a 5 metre hose i keep for my henry for jobs such as yours.


Pristine Clean

  • Posts: 1149
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2009, 02:51:42 pm »
Vacman


what length can you go with the extension. Its about 35 - 40 feet it might be a bit less.

Dave

"You have to except that some days you are the statue and other days you are a pigeon"

vacman

  • Posts: 396
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2009, 06:33:30 pm »
Dave

If you should ever happen to buy a universal 15 meter hose, you can cut it to any length you like and then attached the hose-ends for your particular model of cleaner. At it's best, you can put the cleaner at ground level and the take the hose 15 meters in any direction. 40 feet would be just over 12 meteres long, not forgetting that with a backpack cleaner you'll need 40 feet of flex at least (unless such a thing as a rechargable version exists?). I'm confused though as i thought youy said they were 3 metres high?

Pristine Clean

  • Posts: 1149
Re: Cleaning Natural Oak Beams
« Reply #12 on: August 28, 2009, 06:52:10 am »
Yes Vacman I did say 3 metres high and that was a mistake. I dont know what I was thinking when I wrote that.

Cheers

Dave
"You have to except that some days you are the statue and other days you are a pigeon"